After Wisconsin loss, Barrett supporter slaps him

Cate Edwards walks with her father John Edwards into the federal courthouse in Greensboro, N.C., as the defense continues in John Edwards' campaign corruption trial Monday, May 14, 2012. / AP Photo/Bob Leverone

Tom Barrett.

/ AP Photo/Andy Manis

(CBS News) After a loss in Wisconsin's gubernatorial election Tuesday night, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett took another blow - literally - when one of his own supporters slapped him.

Barrett, who was challenging incumbent Gov. Scott Walker in a closely-watched recall election, to Walker 54 percent to 45 percent. The mayor conceded the race late Tuesday night, saying that while "the state remains divided," he hopes all sides will remain engaged to serve the interests of Wisconsin families.

The polls had closed by the time he gave his concession speech, but some voters were still waiting inside the polling stations to vote due to high turnout, according to WISN's Terry Sater. One woman was angry Barrett had conceded before everyone inside the polling station had voted, and confronted him to say so.

According to Sater, she asked Barrett if she could slap him for conceding, and Barrett said he'd rather give her a hug. He leaned down, presumably for the hug, and got socked instead. WISN captured the incident on on video.

"She was upset with the mayor she came up and slapped him, and said, how dare you concede while there are people still trying to vote," Sater said. "This woman, upset about that, and she slapped the mayor. He seemed very stunned by the fact that she had done that."

The Milwaukee mayor did not comment on camera about the incident, but was reportedly very surprised by the woman's actions.

Watch video of the incident below, via TPM.

[TimeToEvolve]

The share of income in this country for the middle class has gone down almost exactly as the decline in union membership has. Unions represent ALL workers, unions or not. The anti-worker, self-hating right wingers are living their wet dream now.

[skeezix06]

She shouldn't have slapped him but I can understand why she did.

[smittyc]

Sounds like a very frustrated supporter. Would encourage her to calm down, take life in stride, her behavior is bad for her health, especially her blood pressure. Barrett was not the guilty party anyway, the ladies high expectations of recalling Walker were due to many polls which stated "to close to call" and reminded me of the polls that showed Scott Browns opponent for the Kennedy seat was a win by a landslide. Overall though, I hope she nailed Barrett a good one, he should have told them no to the recall, it is a waste of the taxpayors money.

[boocbsboooooooooo]

Gotta love sitting back and watching lower end of the gene pool of America socialize.

[nohater]

she should be arrested for assault. if a man did that to a woman, he would be charged with assault. if a man did that to say michelle obama, hillary clinton or any woman currently holding office from mayor on up, the man would be arrested for assault. women should not get a free pass nor think that they can escape charges. put her sorry behind in jail or fine her heavily.

[AnnieDanny]

I agree, it's really amazing and she should not get away with it IMO. I wonder what she's like at home?

[janareader]

You all don't get the point... I understand the frustration on the part of the woman... no she should not have slapped him... I truly believe they put up the wrong man for the fight against Walker.. His voice wasn't strong enough or wise enough to effect the bombardment of rhetoric that proclaimed Walker to stay on the job. I think some people just didn't like the taste of the whole campaign. Some didn't feel the effects that Walker put on the working class. Some didn't realize the manufacturing jobs that are going strong in Wisconsin are from the affects of Obama's stimulus and Auto Industry bailout not Scott Walkers creation that is for sure. Unions have been hammered ever since Reagan and this is a blow to them. Heaven forbid that a group of people can support the other side.. just destroy them .. what were Walker's words....oh yes Divide and Conquer... nothing about jobs.

[nottblu]

idiot, he was elected twice now, what on earth does it take to convince you libs the people of Wisconsin rejected your brand of liberalism?

[KnowerseekerReturns]

"The polls had closed by the time he gave his concession speech, but some voters were still waiting inside the polling stations to vote due to high turnout, according to WISN's Terry Sater. One woman was angry Barrett had conceded before everyone inside the polling station had voted, and confronted him to say so." -- Wait... the polls closed before everyone had a chance to vote? Just how many voters didn't get to have their votes counted? How many is "some"?

[Ourdoc1]

No one didn't have their votes counted. If they were in line when the polls closed, they were allowed to vote. Sadly 35% of those eligible to vote either got fooled into not going to vote by Walkers sleazy tactics or were just too lazy to get off their butts to go vote.

[Oldgee60]

No matter how "upset" she was, she had no right to slap him. He should press charges...at least until he gets an apology as public and personal as the offense. She should not get a pass just because she is a woman and he is a man. He certainly wouldn't get one if the tables were turned.

[nomorelibs]

You got that right. He would have been hauled off to jail immediately, and rightly so. Of course, the story doesn't say, and you can't tell from the video, if it was playful or vicious. All that aside, this crazy woman must not realize that the race was uncontested, at that point, there was no chance for Barrett.

[ge556]

In reply to some of the posts below:
1) If you hit people, you are not, by definition, being "liberal".
2) If one person does something, others are not thereby guilty of the act, even if they are of the same political persuasion.

[nomorelibs]

Your so right. But in this day and age, each side is looking for someone on the other side to demonize. I guess they think the actions of one or a few are going to make the entire party look bad. Short sided and clueless.

[Jaylah54100]

I'm rather glad it was caught on film. If you're going to show that kind of lack of class, it shouldn't just be in private. Everybody should have a chance to see what an idiot you are.